354: Chapter 354 Heaven-Rank Low-Grade Inner Armor

[1 Vajra Protection]: After wearing, it can form an invisible defensive barrier, weakening power by seventy percent and significantly improving survivability;

[2 Spirit Rhyme Nourishment]: The inner armor can autonomously absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, slowly nourishing the wearer's Physical Body, assisting in cultivation, accelerating the Speed of Spiritual Qi absorption, while alleviating fatigue from cultivation and stabilizing the cultivation Foundation;

[3. Ignores attacks from Magical Artifacts below earth-grade low grade]

Qin Changsheng carefully examined the three traits, his eyes full of joy and satisfaction.

The consumption of thirty million Spirit Stones in Exchange for a Low Grade Heaven-Grade inner armor and unlocking three powerful traits was well worth the price.

With the enhancement of this Heaven-Grade inner armor, his defensive capabilities had achieved a qualitative leap. In the future, whether it was competing for heavenly dao fragments, searching for the golden eagle token, or dealing with the counterattack of the Yao Race, he would have more confidence.

He raised his hand and put on the Low Grade Heaven-Grade inner armor. The inner armor instantly fitted his Physical Body, as light and thin as if it were nothing, yet he could clearly feel a thick defensive power enveloping him.

With a gentle wave of his hand, Qin Changsheng summoned the Heavenly Dao Entry Intelligence.

Qin Changsheng also began searching for important treasures.

[tianyan stone: A special treasure, capable of crafting Magical Artifacts and improving the quality of a Golden Core]

[Holder: Lin Hao]

[Location: Heavenly Sword Sect]

[Possession: Taken from the Lin family treasury, intended to be exchanged for fifty thousand Spirit Stones]

Looking at the content on the attribute panel, a trace of joy flashed in Qin Changsheng's eyes.

He hadn't expected that the Lin family actually still had a tianyan stone.

This tianyan stone was an important material for upgrading the quality of a Golden Core.

But he didn't expect Lin Hao to actually sell such an important material for fifty thousand Spirit Stones.

Qin Changsheng thought for a moment and decided to head to a private booth on the fourth floor of Qingyun Tower.

Lin Hao didn't have many channels to sell it.

If he wanted to sell this tianyan stone, he would definitely participate in this year's Qingyun Tower gathering.

...

Heavenly Sword Sect, fourth floor of Qingyun Tower.

Dozens of Foundation Establishment Cultivators sat around, either sipping tea and chatting or discussing in low voices; the atmosphere was lively but not noisy.

This was exactly the regular gathering place for Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Sect, mostly used for exchanging information and trading treasures.

Qin Changsheng also disguised himself as an ordinary second-layer Foundation Establishment Cultivator and came here.

Qin Changsheng's arrival did not attract anyone's attention.

Most of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the booth only glanced at him briefly, and seeing his ordinary aura, they withdrew their gazes and continued their respective chats. No one was willing to waste energy on an unremarkable middle-aged Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

This was exactly the effect Qin Changsheng wanted; he had come this time to act covertly and did not wish to draw attention.

Qin Changsheng found an empty seat in a corner and sat down, ordering a pot of the cheapest Spiritual Tea. He pretended to sip tea while actually listening to the conversations of the surrounding Cultivators, his gaze scanning the room unobtrusively.

During the gathering, the topics discussed by the crowd were varied, but they always revolved around two things, which remained highly popular.

One was about Hu Nan.

The other was about the mutiny of the Yao Race army on the front lines.

Everyone chimed in, either speculating on the aftermath of the Yao Race mutiny, their words filled with curiosity and discussion.

Qin Changsheng held his teacup with a calm expression; as for why the Yao Race would mutiny, he was very clear about it.

All of this was because Qin Changsheng had swindled the Yao Race out of hundreds of millions of Spirit Stones.

Just then, there was some movement outside the booth, and Lin Hao walked in from outside.

The moment Qin Changsheng saw Lin Hao, a trace of joy that was hard to detect quietly flashed in the depths of his eyes.

His core purpose for coming this time was the tianyan stone in Lin Hao's hands!

Qin Changsheng knew in his heart that the tianyan stone was an indispensable treasure for upgrading his Golden Core quality.

He knew that Lin Hao had come here prepared to sell the tianyan stone for fifty thousand Spirit Stones.

Not long after Lin Hao's arrival, Jiang Lijuan, Jiang Hui, and others also arrived one after another.

With the arrival of Jiang Lijuan, Lin Hao, and the others, this Foundation Establishment Gathering officially began.

Everyone also began to share their cultivation experiences, exchanging insights and learning from each other.

"I have been cultivating a Late Stage Foundation Establishment technique recently and always felt the Spiritual Qi was sluggish. Later, I accidentally discovered that it needs to be paired with Ning-Spirit Grass tea to smooth the Meridians and increase the Speed of Spiritual Qi absorption. You Fellow Daoists might as well give it a try."

A seventh-layer Foundation Establishment Cultivator began to share his cultivation experience.

Everyone chimed in; some spoke of their techniques for breaking through Bottlenecks, some shared cultivation methods for rare spiritual Materials, and others asked about difficulties encountered in cultivation, discussing with each other in a very harmonious atmosphere.

Lin Hao would occasionally offer a few pointers, his words fully displaying the depth of a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator;

After more than ten minutes, everyone began to discuss major events in the Southern Region.

"Everyone, I'm sure you've all heard that the Yao Race front line hasn't been peaceful lately. I heard the Yao Race army has mutinied again!"

"The Yao Race has so many Spirit Stones, how could they fail to pay the military pay?"

"I also heard that the spiritual light of a Secret Realm has appeared nearby. Many Cultivators have already set off to explore the opportunities within the Secret Realm, but no one knows exactly when this Secret Realm will open or what treasures are inside."

Everyone's interest was instantly piqued, and they began to discuss animatedly. Some speculated on the origin of the Secret Realm, some calculated whether to go and explore, and some worried about hidden dangers within. They expressed their opinions, their words full of curiosity and trepidation.

This kind of casual chat continued for another quarter of an hour when Jiang Lijuan suddenly raised her hand and pressed down gently, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Once the room had gradually fallen silent, she finally spoke slowly, her tone heavy and her voice clearly reaching everyone in the tea house: "Do you all know that Elder Qingxuan has died in battle?"

"What?!" These words were like a thunderclap, instantly exploding in everyone's ears. The booth fell into a dead silence, followed by an explosion of uproar.

The relaxation and curiosity on all the Cultivators' faces were instantly replaced by shock. They all stood up, staring intently at Jiang Lijuan, and pressed for details urgently.

"Senior Sister Jiang, what did you say? Elder Qingxuan died in battle? That's impossible!"

"Elder Qingxuan was a great expert at the Early Stage Golden Core; his cultivation was profound, how could he easily die in battle?"

The questions from the crowd rose one after another, their faces full of disbelief.

Elder Qingxuan was a famous Golden Core Cultivator of their Heavenly Sword Sect.

How could he have suddenly died in battle?

Jiang Lijuan sighed softly and slowly explained: "Over a month ago, Elder Qingxuan went alone to the Yao Race territory to investigate the enemy situation. On the way, he was ambushed by several Yao Race experts. The opponents were powerful and numerous. Although Elder Qingxuan fought hard, he was ultimately outnumbered and unfortunately perished."

She paused and then added: "Later, it was Senior Brother Wu Yong who first discovered Elder Qingxuan's remains. He was grief-stricken and personally collected the Elder's body and cremated it!"

"I only received the news a few days ago as well."

Hearing this, everyone sighed, their faces full of grief. Some sobbed softly, while others lowered their eyes in silence.

These people all cultivated within the Heavenly Sword Sect.

They had also received instruction from Elder Qingxuan.

Now hearing that Elder Qingxuan had died in battle, how could they not be grieved and indignant?

Only Qin Changsheng's expression remained calm and rippleless, without the slightest hint of grief, and even his eyes didn't flicker in the least.

He had already seen through the truth in his heart. What "died in battle"?

Elder Qingxuan's Lifespan was nearing its end, and he had long been secretly planning a Possession. Senior Brother Wu Yong was the target he had chosen for Possession.

A few years ago, Elder Qingxuan went to the northern defensive line precisely to prepare for the Possession.

The so-called "died in battle after being ambushed by the Yao Race" was nothing more than a facade he fabricated to deceive others and smoothly possess Senior Brother Wu Yong.

Collecting the body and the burial were even more of a play he personally staged after possessing Senior Brother Wu Yong, with the goal of completely covering up the truth of the Possession, safely occupying Senior Brother Wu Yong's body, and extending his own Lifespan.

Qin Changsheng also sighed slightly.

He had warned Senior Brother Wu Yong back then.

Telling Senior Brother Wu Yong to be wary of Elder Qingxuan.

However, Senior Brother Wu Yong didn't listen to Qin Changsheng at all and instead questioned him.

With the sharing of major events in the Southern Region completed, the crowd entered the free trading phase.

This was also one of the core purposes for many Cultivators to attend the gathering: to Exchange idle treasures and fulfill each other's needs.

Cultivators one after another took out treasures they didn't use from their storage pouches and laid them on the tables. There were rare Spiritual Plants, damaged Magical Artifacts, Medicinal Pills for cultivation, and Talismans to assist in Breakthroughs. The sounds of them calling out to introduce the uses of their treasures and haggling rose and fell, making it very lively.